Sept. 22, 2016
Former Commodore defensive standout and current NFL starter Andre Hal opens Week 3 of National Football League action tonight when the Houston Texans face New England Patriots.
Here’s a brief look at this week’s NFL games involving Hal and more former Commodores:
Andre Hal, safety, Houston Texans
at New England, 7:25 pm CT, Thursday, Sept. 22
A seventh-round selection in 2014, Hal has started at free safety for Houston’s impressive defensive unit, helping the Texans to an early AFC divisional lead after wins over Chicago and Kansas City. This year, he has contributed seven total tackles. He also registered an interception in the opener. It was Hal’s fifth career pick.
Wesley Johnson, offensive line, New York Jets
at Kansas City, 3:25 pm CT, Sunday, Sept. 25
The third-year offensive lineman enjoyed a significant role in the Jets’ victory last Thursday over Buffalo, playing the entire second half at left guard in place of starter James Carpenter, who could return this week at Kansas City. With Johnson at guard, the Jets offense produced 17 straight points to seal the win. Carpenter’s playing status against the Chiefs has not been announced.
Casey Hayward, cornerback, San Diego Chargers
at Indianapolis, 3:25 pm CT, Sunday, Sept. 25
A fifth-year veteran who inked a three-year deal with the Charger in the offseason, Hayward is coming off a career performance in San Diego’s 38-14 victory over Jacksonville last Sunday. Hayward posted two interceptions against the Jags, becoming the first Charger to do so since 2011. This week, the cornerback faces one of the NFL’s top young quarterbacks in Indianapolis’ Andrew Luck.
Spencer Pulley, offensive line, San Diego Chargers
at Indianapolis, 3:25 pm CT, Sunday, Sept. 25
An undrafted rookie free agent who made the Chargers’ 53-man roster, Pulley has enjoyed significant offensive and special team snaps during the first two weeks of the season. Most of Pulley’s action has come at right guard.
Jordan Matthews, wide receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
vs. Pittsburgh, 3:25 pm CT, Sunday, Sept. 25
The Eagles’ top receiver in his second year with the franchise in 2015, Matthews has become the favorite target of rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, who has started his Philadelphia career with back-to-back victories. He has 13 receptions for 185 yards and a touchdown, and just surpassed 2,000 receiving yards in his brief career.
Jay Cutler, quarterback, Chicago Bears (inactive)
at Dallas, 7:30 pm CT, Sunday, Sept. 25
An 11-year starter now in his eighth year in Chicago, Cutler is expected to miss 2-3 weeks of action with a right thumb sprain suffered in the Bears’ Monday Night loss to Philadelphia. In the first two games, Cutler has completed 28 of 46 passes for thrown for 373 yards and a touchdown.
Updates on additional former Commodores in the NFL:
Jonathan Krause, wide receiver, San Diego Chargers
On Sept. 5, Krause, a three-year veteran receiver who has experience with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, was signed to the Chargers’ practice squad after missing the 53-man roster in Tampa Bay. In 2015, Krause had a pair of receptions in two regular season appearances for the Eagles.
Stephen Weatherly, defensive end, Minnesota
Selected by the Vikings in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Weatherly was named to Minnesota’s practice squad on Sept. 3. During the preseason, Weatherly worked at defensive end after playing outside linebacker for the Commodores.
Andrew Williamson, safety, Indianapolis
Williamson suffered a knee injury during an early preseason practice, and is listed on the Colts’ injured reserved list.